RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Members of the Richmond Heights basketball team let their words speak as loud as their actions.

Freed from a week full of drama and after threatening not to play unless a coaching change was made, the undefeated Spartans took to the court Friday and ran their winning streak to 16 with a routine 70-51 victory over visiting Independence.

It was the first win as a varsity coach for Don Gross, who replaced Jason Popp as head coach after Popp was relieved of his duties Thursday for allegedly using racially insensitive and vulgar language around the players.

When asked if it was an especially emotional way to make his head coaching debut, Gross said, "I can't put it into words."

This was more than just another Chagrin Valley Conference game. It was an emotional night for Gross, the players, their parents and school administrators.

"It was a hard thing for me to do tonight, to get put in this predicament, this situation" said Gross, who has been an assistant coach in the district for 15 years. "Like I've told everyone, Mr. Popp is a great friend of mine and I wish he was the guy still doing this."

It also was difficult for the players, who held their only practice of the week Thursday after threatening to abandon the season if Popp stayed on as coach.

"We would not have played if coach Popp had been here," said 6-6 junior Tommy Scales, who led the Spartans with 15 points. "It was serious because we were getting disrespected. Nobody wants to be disrespected. All we wanted was to play basketball and be respected."

Junior guard Jordan Early said he was glad the week was over.

"It was a tough week," Early said. "One practice. I think we put it behind us tonight. We came out and made a statement because we were glad just to get back to playing basketball. Give us a couple more games. Our chemistry will return. I thought everyone was a little more relaxed tonight. Everyone on the team was happy with the decision. I'm glad it's over."

The Spartans, ranked sixth in this week's Division IV state poll, have four games remaining before the postseason. They showed balanced scoring Friday, with junior Ishaam Smith and sophomore Rico Jones backing Scales with 13 points each and sophomore Arthur Christian finishing with 10.

Scales agreed it was time for the team to look forward, to put the off-the-court issues behind them.

"We're glad just to be back on the court," he said. "This will be a journey and it will be difficult. But, it's possible."

Gross said he was anxious before game and didn't feel at ease until after tipoff.

"Let's say I lost a little weight this week," he lightheartedly said. "I've been an assistant for so many years, so to come out and get that first win, I feel pretty good about that. The kids were emotionally high for the game right off the start. They came out ready to play, they came prepared. And, they showed it."

Richmond Heights resumes its march toward an undefeated season Tuesday when it hosts Beachwood.

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